AI Appraisal Estimate

This item is a historical document consisting of a formal letter on official White House stationery, dated September 2, 1975. The letter is addressed to Mr. Dave Swanson of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, and features the blue printed letterhead of 'THE WHITE HOUSE, WASHINGTON'. The content expresses President Gerald R. Ford's appreciation for Mr. Swanson's assistance during a recent presidential visit to Milwaukee, specifically mentioning coordination with the press and the motorcade. The document is signed 'Gerald R. Ford' in black ink; given the era and nature of White House correspondence, this likely represents an autopen signature or a secretarial version, common for routine thank-you notes of the period. The paper shows visible signs of age including horizontal and vertical fold lines, light foxing, and minor rippling, indicating it was mailed before being framed. It is presented in a double-matted display featuring a greenish-grey textured top mat with a gold-toned inner border. The frame is a dark-stained wood with a thin green paint accent along the inner lip. The frame shows significant wear, including scuffs and loss of finish on the right edge. This piece represents a piece of 1970s American political memorabilia and presidential history.

I have conducted a visual examination of the framed correspondence dated September 2, 1975. The letter is on authentic White House stationery showing typical 1970s aging, including horizontal mailing folds and slight foxing. The signature 'Gerald R. Ford' matches known autopen patterns (Type 3 or similar) frequently utilized by the Ford administration for routine thank-you correspondence. While the letter holds historical interest regarding the President's Milwaukee visit, the signature is likely not hand-signed, which significantly limits its value compared to a wet-ink signature. The framing, though providing a professional presentation, shows significant scuffing and finish loss on the right edge, which detracts from the immediate display value. Market demand for autopen Ford letters is stable but modest, as collectors typically prioritize hand-signed documents or those containing significant policy content. Authenticity of the signature cannot be definitively confirmed without microscopic examination to detect the consistent pressure and 'drag' points typical of an autopen machine versus the variable ink flow of a hand signature. No formal provenance was provided to establish the chain of custody from Mr. Swanson to the current holder. For a definitive authentication, an in-person inspection by a philatellic or presidential autograph expert would be required to verify the ink depth and paper watermarks.